harps-msg - 2/15/08 Medieval harps. Sources. String sources. NOTE: See also the files: bardic-msg, music-bib, music-msg, song-sources-msg, singing-msg, instruments-msg, p-songs-msg, flutes-msg. ************************************************************************ NOTICE - This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday. This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter. The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors. Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s). Thank you, Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous Stefan at florilegium.org ************************************************************************ From: billmc at microsoft.UUCP (Bill MCJOHN) Date: 15 Jul 91 00:43:19 GMT Organization: Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA dlc at hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Kevin MacKinnon/Dennis Clark) writes: > Also, I have heard folk say that the double and triple strung harp (made to > make the harp more chromatic) is not period. Most notably the Welsh versions > of that harp. My studies have shown that it is believed that double and maybe > even triple strung harps did exist in period. In 14th century Spain to be > precise. The triple harp is basically a baroque instrument. It was developed in Italy towards the end of the sixteenth century, and spread to England and Wales in the early part of the seventeenth century. It became popular with the Welsh, who modified it further (giving it the high-headed form they favored). Cheryl Fulton gives a discussion of the instrument in the notes to her recording "The Airs of Wales" (Which is, as one would expect from Cheryl, an absolutely fabulous recording.) The double harp is another matter. There is a partially surviving Italian instrument--the Galilei harp--which I think dates from the end of the sixteenth century. There are also Spanish references to the double harp in the sixteenth century. However, the most intriguing reference I've run across is in Craig Wright's _Music at the Court of Burgundy_. Discussing Baude Fresnel, a harper who held the prestigious position of chamber valet, Wright says: "The harp purchased in May 1392 at a cost of fifty francs, for example, was <> whereas the harp Baude had in his possession in the spring of 1395 was decorated with wood carvings and had gold tuning pins and four rows of strings." My French is pretty spotty, but the first instrument is clearly a big double harp. This doesn't necessarily mean a multi-row harp like the sixteenth century double harp, but given the rich use of chromatic notes in French secular music around 1400, it seems reasonable that the foremost harper at the court of Burgundy would have an instrument with some chromatic capabilities. (Especially if Baude Fresnel was the same person as the composer Baude Cordier, who wrote some of that highly chromatic music. This identification is not secure, but Wright provides some appealing although circumstantial evidence.) I would further speculate that the harp with four rows of strings actually had four half-rows (a main and second course for each hand), making it in effect a double harp. Bill McJohn who is learning to play the double harp and will probably go blind because of it. From: moss at cs.umass.edu (Eliot Moss) Date: 16 Jul 91 03:12:46 GMT Organization: Dept of Comp and Info Sci, Univ of Mass (Amherst) I don't have dates and such handy, but can add some tidbits regarding styles of double harps. The "Welsh" (originally Italian) triple harp has three rows of strings, entirely parallel. The outer rows ring the same notes, and allow interesting repetitive effects; they are generally tuned to the diatonic scale of the key to be used. The middle row has the accidentals ("black notes" for you piano types, roughly speaking (i.e., if you're in the key of C)). On some triple harps the outer rows are not doubled all the way to the ends of the instrument, so there are places where there are only two rows. Anyway, back to double harps ... Some double harps are like a triple harp with an outer row left off, namely, all the strings are vertical. The Spanish (and perhaps Italians) also used cross strung doubled harps. Here one row is fasten to the soundboard on the left side and to the top on the right side. Likewise, the other row is fastened to the soundboard on the right side and the top on the left side. Thus, the rows cross about halfway between the soundboard and the tuning pins. The neat thing about this arrangement is that it is easy to play any note with either hand by moving the hand high or low as necessary. Double and trpiple harps are an approach to playing more chromatic music on what was originally a diatonic instrument; pedal harps are a more modern approach, though they are believed to have originated in primitive form in Bavaria in the 1620s. Depending on how you define "period", pedal harps might then be period, but not the kinds of pedal harps we see today. Going further back, an alternative to double or triple stringing that was sometimes used was to add a fret below the tuning pin. This allows a sharped note to be played with one hand while the other hand holds the strings against the fret. I have seen South American players use a hand held "fret", namely a sharp edged metal bar attached to a ring on their finger that they can press against a string to sharpen it. (The edge runs parallel to the finger; the whole device is normally out of the way toward the back of one's hand.) It would not surprise me if such devices were period also, but it may be very hard to verify. Regards to all harpers and harp enthusiasts ..... Aell Aethelwita, called Ellethel -- J. Eliot B. Moss, Assistant Professor Department of Computer and Information Science Lederle Graduate Research Center University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003 (413) 545-4206, 545-1249 (fax); Moss at cs.umass.edu Newsgroups: rec.org.sca From: rvoris at world.std.com (Rebecca A Voris) Subject: Re: Looking for a Harp Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1993 04:11:04 GMT In article Phyllis_Gilmore at rand.org (Phyllis Gilmore) writes: > Sylvia Woods, who is (I'm fairly certain) in Pasadena, CA--She has a great > catalog. If I can find my copy of her latest catalog (BIG if), I'll try > to remember to post the address. > > Philippa The Sylvia Woods catalogue is the ultimate and canonical source for harp accessories, music, and coffee mugs. It offers harps from a couple of different makers. These harps are toward the high end of the price range. I believe that the Sylvia Woods people believe that they are good harps. but I have never seen one personally to know for certain. On the other hand, I can say many good things about Argent Fox, who made the harp I bought at Pennsic. I have been trying to find their card, with no luck yet. You could look them up in the Pennsic booklet, if you have one, but they've moved since Pennsic. If I find the address I'll post it. If you want to see a lot of pictures of harps and get the addresses of a lot of manufacturers, you should get a year's membership in the International Folk Harp Society, which will send you the Folk Harp Journal. I don't have an address for this, either, and if anyone out there does I wish they'd post it so I can subscribe myself. Godith Anyon Carolingia From: hrjones at uclink.berkeley.edu (Heather Rose Jones) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: Looking for a Harp Date: 7 Dec 1993 17:03:05 GMT Organization: University of California, Berkeley *Heather* wrote: > A friend of mine is interested in buying a harp. I was wondering if >people would email me snail mail addresses and any information they might >have about places that sell harps. >-Heather MacLeod I highly recommend checking out the catalogs of the following two companies: Lark in the Morning PO Box 1176 Mendocino CA 95460 Sylvia Woods Harp Center PO Box 816 Montrose CA 91021-0816 This is, of course, biased towards those companies relatively local to me and with which I have had dealings. My strongest advice to anyone buying a harp (and I've given this lecture more times than I can count) is to take along with you someone who has experience with a lot of types of harps and who has been playing for a while. I've known too many beginners who say, "well, I just want something small and inexpensive to start with" or "I'm sure it'll sound better when I've learned how to play it". Unlike many instruments, skill in playing has little effect on the basic tone of a harp. If it sounds plinky and weird when you buy it, it will always sound plinky and weird. Make sure you buy something with good tone to start with so you'll have the encouragement to continue. Keridwen ferch Morgan Glasfryn (Who plays a Dusty Strings 36F and a Saga wire-strung) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca From: afk at tdat.ElSegundoCA.NCR.COM (Art Kaufmann) Subject: Re: Looking for a Harp Date: Tue, 7 Dec 93 10:17:46 PST In article 93Dec6231104 at world.std.com, rvoris at world.std.com (Rebecca A Voris) writes: > >In article Phyllis_Gilmore at rand.org (Phyllis Gilmore) writes: > >> Sylvia Woods, who is (I'm fairly certain) in Pasadena, CA--She has a great >> catalog. If I can find my copy of her latest catalog (BIG if), I'll try >> to remember to post the address. >> >> Philippa > >The Sylvia Woods catalogue is the ultimate and canonical source for >harp accessories, music, and coffee mugs. It offers harps from a >couple of different makers. These harps are toward the high end of >the price range. I believe that the Sylvia Woods people believe that >they are good harps. but I have never seen one personally to know for >certain. > >On the other hand, I can say many good things about Argent Fox, who >made the harp I bought at Pennsic. I have been trying to find their >card, with no luck yet. You could look them up in the Pennsic >booklet, if you have one, but they've moved since Pennsic. If I find >the address I'll post it. > >If you want to see a lot of pictures of harps and get the addresses of >a lot of manufacturers, you should get a year's membership in the >International Folk Harp Society, which will send you the Folk Harp >Journal. I don't have an address for this, either, and if anyone out >there does I wish they'd post it so I can subscribe myself. > >Godith Anyon >Carolingia The International Folk Harp Society was founded by Sylvia Woods and Sylvia Fellows. SF is active in the SCA here in Caid. You can reach her at: IFHS %Sylvia Fellows 4718 Maychelle Drive Anaheim CA 92807-3040 BTW if you can't find Sylvia Woods in Pasadena CA, try Glendale CA. I don't have her catalog handy. --- Colin Graham | Art Kaufmann Caid | afk at ElSegundoCA.NCR.COM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newsgroups: rec.org.sca From: LOVELACE at HOLONET.NET Subject: Re: Looking for a Harp Originator: lovelace at giskard.holonet.net Organization: HoloNet National Internet Access System: 510-704-1058/modem Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1993 22:52:37 GMT *Heather* wrote: >A friend of mine is interested in buying a harp. I was wondering if >people would email me snail mail addresses and any information they might >have about places that sell harps. >-Heather MacLeod I was at the Darkover convention in Baltimore last week and ran into someone from Rocky Mountain Enterprises that sells celtic harps. They also sell everything from guitars to lutes to dulcimers to lyres, etc... You can write them for a catalog at: Rocky Mountain Enterprises 364 West 13th Ave Homestead, PA 15120 I think there might be a charge for the catalog but I'm not sure. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Tanner Lovelace | | lovelace at cuc.edu Takoma Park | Barony of Storvik | lovelace at holonet.net Maryland | Kingdom of Atlantia | lovelace at sol.cs.utc.edu ---------------------------------------------------------------- From: hrjones at uclink.berkeley.edu (Heather Rose Jones) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: Looking for a Harp Date: 9 Dec 1993 05:04:22 GMT Organization: University of California, Berkeley In article , wrote: > >I was at the Darkover convention in Baltimore last week and ran into >someone from Rocky Mountain Enterprises that sells celtic harps. They This is MY PERSONAL OPINION (to which I am entitled) ... I would not recommend the harps made by Rocky Mountain Enterprises to anyone seriously interested in playing the instrument. They are tinny in sound, clunkily constucted, have a non-standard string spacing (meaning you won't be able to transfer easily to other instruments), and have serious problems holding their tuning. As someone who has tried out harps by a wide variety of makers ... they just don't sound good. And you can do much better for the same amount of money. Keridwen ferch Morgan Glasfryn Newsgroups: rec.org.sca From: tbarnes at silver.ucs.indiana.edu (thomas wrentmore barnes) Subject: Re: Looking for a Harp Organization: Indiana University Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1993 16:34:33 GMT Argent Fox Music Lord Rathwin Durand/Dan Speers 908 E. 14th St. Bloomington Indiana 47408 He sells good beginner's harps for c. $300. (I'm not sure of the exact prices). He also might have a catalog or a price list. He also sells at Pennsic. Lothar \|/ 0 From: FC080401 at ysub.ysu.edu Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: Looking for a Harp Date: Fri, 10 Dec 93 16:15:02 EST Organization: Youngstown State University Greetings! I had already sent this via email, but I might as well hop on the bandwagon and post it as well: A member of my household is a harp maker. He works in cherry, walnut, mahogany... and probably other woods that I can't think of right now. :) He does mail order, made-to-order (you should have seen the Celtic knotwork harp he had at Pennsic!), and takes plastic. All work done from scratch, not from kits. His mundane coordinates are: Orion's Creations c/o Jim Kirchner 1338 E. Crawford Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207 I'm no harp expert, but I can tell you that he _always_ sells out of small harps at Pennsic ($325). He does both nylon and brass strung. Tarna of Warhaven From: torin.ironbrow at sfnet.COM Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: HARP STRINGS Date: 19 Jan 1994 15:31:21 -0500 Organization: SF NET San Francisco's Coffee House Connection Greetings Yaakov! Wow I actually have the chance to help somebody else on the Rialto this soon after getting on. I am lucky enough to have a place that is very close that sells Phosphor-Bronze strings (at least that was what they were described to me as) and I was able to restring my borrowed harp with them. They are: Amazing Grace Music 111 Red Hill Av. San Anselmo, CA 94960 1-415-456-0414 The nice people at the store told me that these strings are use frequently in Indian (Asian Sub Continent) musical instruments. That may help you as well. In service: Torin Ironbrow Todd Rich Caldarium/Mists/West Torin.Ironbrow at sfnet.com From: FC080401 at ysub.ysu.edu Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Harp strings (was: Lots) Date: Thu, 20 Jan 94 13:01:44 EST Organization: Youngstown State University Yaakov wrote: > > Harps- At War, I bought a lap harp from Argent Fox. > Wonderful work, and I am very happy with my baby (my wife > thinks its disgusting that I lavish such attentions on it). > One little item: it has brass strings. The local good music > store had never heard of a metal strung harp before, and has > no clue where I can get strings. Since they break with > unfortunate regularity, does anyone know a good supplier? > If Argent Fox can't supply you, try Orion's Creations. Orion also sells at Pennsic, and I remember hearing him talk with other gentles about strings. I believe you need the diameter and length, but I'm no expert. (When it comes to harps, I'm not even a novice.) Orion's mundane coordinates are: Orion's Creations c/o Jim Kirchner 1338 E. Crawford Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207 Hope this helps! Tarna of Warhaven From: corliss at hal.PHysics.wayne.EDU (David J. Corliss) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Harps at War Date: 20 Jan 1994 15:00:53 -0500 Organization: The Internet As one who both plays and builds harps, I must say that I am very impressed with the work from the Argent Fox. The instruments are sound, beautifully made, and have a lot of "life" in them (can't think of a better term than that). I have always found Robinson's Harp of Mount Laguna, CA, to be an excellent source for strings, other hardware, and good advice. They are some of the most helpful people I have met in the area of instrument building and maintenance. Beorthwine of Grafham Wood From: corliss at hal.PHysics.wayne.EDU (David J. Corliss) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Harp Pegs Date: 1 Feb 1994 14:10:43 -0500 Organization: The Internet Ray Wakeland asks: 1) How did tuning pegs work? Modern harp tuning pegs are basicly a bolt... 2) How did they cut wood thin enough.... --------------------------------------------------------------- Modern tuning pegs are not bolts or screws of any kind. They work on friction alone. Some have slight ridges to enhance friction but these are still not screws. These _harp_ pegs are not to be confused with _zither_ tuning pins which are, in fact, screws, and are sometimes used by makers of folk instruments. These are inappropriate for harps and should not be used. I know of no manufacturer of instruments (Lyon & Healy, Salvi, ect) who uses zither pins. The medieval pins were much like the modern ones in design: passing _through_ the neck of the instrument, slightly tapered, having a small hole for the string passing through the smaller end and square cut to accomodate a tuning wrench at the other. The materials differ from the modern: medieval harp pegs were of bronze, ivory, bone, or durable wood (here, I do not know what kind of wood; i should think that birch would be suitable). Wood was thinly cut then just as it is now: it is planed. The only difference today is that power tools are available for this task. ......this has been a public service message from the Middle Kingdom College of Sciences......... Beorthwine From: sbloch at ms.uky.edu (Stephen Bloch) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca,rec.music.early Subject: Re: HISTORICAL HARPS Date: 31 Jan 1994 00:51:29 -0500 Organization: University Of Kentucky, Dept. of Math Sciences Sharon Stanfill wrote: >Anyone out there interested in Pictish harps? A Scottish maker has started >doing reconstructions. I can email details to anyone interested. >Basically - these are small nylon or gut strung harps based on the earliest >known depiction of a triangular harp in Britain. They are not cheap, but >are interesting. > >Nesta ferch Meriadoc Hartley >sharons at juliet.ll.mit.edu I assume the lady is talking about the Ardival workshop. I just heard about these in a mailing from Antique Sound Workshop (1080 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02146), from which I paraphrase the following. The harps in question were designed by Tim Hobrough based on the famous Nigg Stone, a Pictish carving dating from about 800 A.D. Apparently, Hobrough was an excellent instrument designer but a lousy businessman, so when he was making the things himself their quality and availability were inconsistent. He teamed up with the Dunn family (who formerly supplied him with wood), and they're now producing harps of consistent quality and delivering them on time. There are several models: a 19-string, nylon-strung triangular harp a 19-string, gut-strung triangular harp a fancier 19-string, gut-strung triangular harp (with "a hand-hewn and tapered soundbox") a 23-string, gut-strung triangular harp a 19-string, wire-strung medieval Celtic harp a nylon-strung Renaissance harp and two gut-strung models based on 19th-century Scottish originals. Only the triangular harps have prices given in this mailing; they range from $500-1300, depending on who you are, which you buy, and when you buy it. I have no connection with Antique Sound Workshop other than being on their mailing list; I've never actually bought anything from them other than a catalogue (which is impressive). -- Stephen Bloch sbloch at s.ms.uky.edu From: corliss at hal.PHysics.wayne.EDU (David J. Corliss) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Harps Date: 24 Mar 1994 13:17:19 -0500 Organization: The Internet Torin Ironbrow has written of the quality of the harps from Argent Fox Music. I have noticed this gentle's work for some time and, as someone who has recieved some recognition for builing harps himself, I must say that these instuments are excellent! They are carefully and solidly constructed, well researched, and pleasant in their tone. I would certainly recomemed them to someone seeking to buy a harp, but with work so good, they can not remain so inexpensive for long. Beorthwine of Grafham Wood From: chandra at seds.lpl.arizona.EDU (Chandra Savage) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: Celtic Harp plans Date: 27 Nov 1995 19:07:17 -0500 Organization: The Internet >Greetings to all from >Yeoman Lord Aldebaran of Arcadia > >Does anyone have plans for building a Celtic Harp?, or know where I could >find same? Here are three sources: Boulder Early Music Shop 2010 14th St. Boulder, CO 80302 They have blueprints for 31-string and 36-string "Gothic Harps" Cambria Harp Kits Phone or write for a free catalog to: Glenn J. Hill 809 W. 1st St. Phoenix, OR 97535 (503)535-7700 Robinson's Harp Shop 33908 Mt. Laguna Dr. P.O. Box 161 Mt. Laguna, CA 91948 They don't specifically advertise plans, but I'm pretty sure they carry them. Hope this helps! Sionnan Mac an t-Sabhaisigh Kingdom of Atenveldt Barony of Tir Ysgithr From: margritt at mindspring.com (Margritte) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: Celtic Harp plans Date: Wed, 29 Nov 1995 01:54:19 -0500 Organization: MindSpring Enterprises IArcadia at mindlink.bc.ca (Ross W. Powell) writes: >Greetings to all from Yeoman Lord Aldebaran of Arcadia > >Does anyone have plans for building a Celtic Harp?, or know where I could >find same? Here are some resources you might want to look into: The Historical Harp Society now has a page on the World Wide Wed courtesy of Henry Houh. The URL is: http://www.tns.lcs.mit.edu/harp/HHS Also, MUSICMAKERS KITS, INC has just opened a Home Page on the World Wide Web. Their location is: http://www.primenet.com/~musikit/ I have a harp made from a MusicMaker kit, and I highly recommend them. They sell blueprints, too, if you want to make one from scratch, but a kit is probably easier for the first time. And finally, my personal favorite: the harp mailing list. These people are super-helpful. They can give you advice about how to get started, how to buy a harp, etc, etc. To unsubscribe or to subscribe to the harp list, please email to: harp-request at mit.edu Also, get a catalog from the Sylvia Woods Harp Center (1-800-249-0325). Sylvia Wood's "Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp" is a good starting book. -Margritte (margritt at mindspring.com) Date: Sun, 03 Jan 1999 12:33:55 -0800 From: "J. Kriss White" To: dayleandken at ibm.net (Rhieinwen & Umberto), blkhrse at pacifier.com (Jill & Ralph Mason), Subject: Biblical harps, anyone? I just came across this interesting web site, from a couple in Israel who make the ancient style of harp: http://www.virtual.co.il/arts/harrari/ They offer insured, worldwide shipping. Lord Daveed of Granada, mka J. Kriss White, Barony of Calafia, Kingdom of Caid email - jkrissw at earthling.net || AOL IM - jkrissw || ICQ #1824702 From: lindahl at pbm.com (Greg Lindahl) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Period Welsh harp music Date: 29 Oct 2000 21:57:49 GMT For those of you interested in period Welsh harp music, the following CD is an extremely excellent rendition of some of the music in the ap Huw manuscript, which is the oldest known manuscript recording the Welsh harp tradition. This CD is great for not only showing that the Ap Huw stuff is quite playable (and much of it would make great music to sing a ballad to), but also it's an excellent example of how music has evolved between the 16th century and the 19th century. The "other world" is a set of 18th/19th century welsh harp manuscripts. If you play a few tracks of each for someone, and then play random tracks and ask which century the piece is from, most people will be able to hear the difference. Taylor, William. Two Worlds of the Welsh Harp (CD). Dorian Recordings, 1999. Includes Gosteg Dafyyd Athro, Y ddigan y droell, Kaniad y gwynn bibydd, Kaniad ystafell, Kaniad bach ar y gogower, and Kaingk Dafydd Broffwyd. The other material on the CD comes from the volumes of Edward Jones' _Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards_. For more info on the ap Huw manuscript, please see: http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/ap_huw/ -- Gregory Blount From: DC Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: Period Welsh harp music Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 16:42:27 -0500 It's a good CD, though Taylor's translation of the manuscript is not held to be absolutely correct by all scholars, there are other interpretations available. But...I do love the sound of a bray harp. From: Martha Schreffler Date: August 11, 2006 3:12:41 PM CDT To: bryn-gwlad at lists.ansteorra.org Subject: [Bryn-gwlad] Harpsicle People often ask me if I can recommend an affordable harp - unfortunately, the least expensive well-made harps are generally out of pocketbook range for those asking! For a long time the notoriously unreliable rosewood harps have been the only source of harps under $500. I recently learned about the "Harpsicle" (comes in assorted eye-popping colors) made by the Wm Rees Company, a reputable harp manufacturer. http://harpsicleharps.com/home.htm. Depending on the number of sharping levers, a 26-string harp ranges from $295 (no levers), $495 (C,F), $534 (C,F,B) to $729 (full levers). I thought I'd give one a try - I'd like an inexpensive harp for outdoor SCA events. I've ordered one in natural wood for my birthday. I'm expecting it sometime next week. If you're thinking of getting a harp sometime in the future, check with me for an opinion - it almost sounds too good to be true! Amata From: Robin Craig Date: August 12, 2006 12:58:01 PM CDT To: Barony of Bryn Gwlad Subject: Re: [Bryn-gwlad] Harpsicle That does sound like a good deal! I was very very lucky with my rosewood harp (I think she was made in Guatamala). Not only is she reliable but I got her for under $300 with levers. Of course, I purchased her in person and not mail-order, so I was able to see her and play her before buying. Having said that, I see that these Harpsicles come in 3 1/2 octaves and my rosewood is only 2 1/2 octaves which does make her more difficult to play. I may have to save up for one of these also!! Its nice that they have straps and lap bars to help support them too!! -Robin From: Martha Schreffler Date: August 21, 2006 8:37:06 AM CDT To: Stefan li Rous Subject: Re: [Bryn-gwlad] Harpsicle Stefan li Rous wrote: <<< I've only played the guitar and that was years ago. What's the difference between the different sharping levers? none, "C,F", "C,F,B", full? When do they get used? Is there any disadvantage, other than price, in having the fuller sets? Stefan >>> Levers are not modern but they are out of SCA period. That would be the only disadvantage if you were a stickler about such things. The purpose of levers is to change the string half a step - in the case of C,F you get a C sharp and F sharp when you lift the lever. In the case of B, if you keep the lever up and tune it to B and then lower the lever, it goes down half a step and gives you B flat. If you get the "none" then the harpsicle is closest to a period gothic harp. You would achieve sharps and flats by retuning before a song or by pressing against the string just under the pin the string winds around (this harp has no bridge pins). The ones with sharping levers do have bridge pins (i.e. a pin right under the pin the string wraps on) so you can't press against the string with your finger - you use a lever. I have found that I most often sharp C and F and flat B. So, the harpsicle I've purchase is the C,F,B one. I'd had bought full levers if I'd had the money but it wasn't worth it to me in this instance. All my other harps have full sets. Edited by Mark S. Harris harps-msg Page 14 of 14